NatGeo says it won’t air political ads with ‘Seal Team Six’

The National Geographic Channel rejected political advertisements from conservatives and liberals for the premiere of “SEAL Team Six: The Raid of Osama bin Laden,” amid criticism that the film itself is one big ad for President Barack Obama.

“We have made sure that there is no political party advertising during the movie from either side during this period prior to the election,” said National Geographic Channels CEO David Lyle. “We refuse to take political advertising for the movie. I didn’t want political advertising popping-up and politicizing what in fact is a tribute to the security forces of this country.”

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SEAL Team Six movie clip

A National Geographic official declined to specify who asked to air ads, only to say the requests came from both sides of the political spectrum. The movie is scheduled to air Sunday night.

Hollywood mogul and Obama supporter Harvey Weinstein, who is backing the film, rejected a New York Times report that the movie “recut” in order to give Obama a more prominent role.

“I’m a big fan of The New York Times — and especially of [Executive Editor] Jill Abramson — but I think they got the story wrong,” Weinstein told POLITICO.

“But I think the movie is benefiting from the fact that The New York Times has made a controversy,” he added.

Weinstein said that he used Republican consultants for the film since he figured he’d be criticized because he supports Obama.

“You know that saying, ‘No animals were harmed in the making of this film?’ Well, no Democrats were involved with the vetting of this movie,” said Weinstein, who purchased the film for $2.5 million earlier this year, according to the NYT.

Lyle denied allegations that the film was politically timed, saying he wanted film to premiere before its Netflix release the following day and to help launch the network’s fall schedule (“Doomsday Preppers” will air a special preview following the film).

Media Research President Brent Bozell said Oct. 26 that the film’s premiere should be delayed until after election to show “they have no agenda.”

“The difference between me and Mr. Bozell is that I’ve seen the bloody movie,” said Lyle, who is Australian. “If Mr. Bozell or [GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s] campaign would like to see the movie, I’m more than happy to give them a screening.”

Lyle said that one scene was even removed because they thought it might be construed as too political. The scene was of then-candidate Obama speaking during a debate in 2008 about going after Bin Laden, Lyle said. He said Obama’s screen time is “less than the end credits.”

“It wasn’t so much recut as it was reassembled,” Lyle said. “There’s probably only one scene that could have been construed as having a political intent and it was removed.”

Weinstein even joked that if he wanted to make a political movie, he’d opt for a comedy about Romney, who he says has flip-flopped on issues during his political career.

“I’d call it ‘Hindsight,’” Weinstein joked, “a guy who makes a mistake and makes a do-over. He would’ve done it faster and better.”

The finest kind of political situation: one side making all kinds of unwarranted noise about something they haven't seen, generating good press for the other side and making the whiners look like fools. Some - especially those who fell into the trap - might call it a bit of a dirty trick, but even that doesn't work very well.

There is no difference in the goal of the folks behind citizens united and the people who have written, produced, directed and acted in most of what has come out of Hollywood for decades. Hiding behind the words art or entertainment do not change the fact that they have pushed political and social messages via media outlets with the intent of benefiting a political party of specific agenda. It's your first amendment right and more power to you, but the notion that it is any different than the Citizens United folks or the PACS is absurd.

obozo authorizing the raid on bin laden was a no-brainer, my eleven year old grandson would have done the same thing. To hear all of you libs talk, you'd think obozo was on the raid and pulled the trigger on bin laden himself. What a bunch of twits you libs are!!

Your eleven year old grandson evidently has more smarts than Past Pres Bush who couldn't or wouldn't take action against Osama... If you think that President Obama's decision was a no brainer just shows what no brains you have..... Please go back to Faux News and stay there.